Damage caused by factory blaze estimated at more than £1 million

Owner believes fire was deliberate

A M A SSI V E f i re t h at bu r ned a fac tor y to the ground has caused da mage est i mated at more than £1 million.

The former Wood Group building, in Baldovie Industrial Estate on Forties Road, was razed to the ground in the blaze which started just after 8pm on Sunday night.

Smoke and flames could be seen for miles around as firefighters fought in vain to contain the blaze.

The fire service and police remained at the scene throughout much of yesterday with smoke still billowing out above the building, which was being used by Carpet Reclaim.

The owner of the building said he believed the fire may have been started deliberately by a group of youths who were seen in the area.

Emran Amin, who also owns A1 Car Wash and Dr Moss cleaning, said: “They think it’s kids who started it – there’s always a lot kicking about here.

“The building was being used for carpet recycling, so there were a lot of carpets in there – they might have been what was heard popping.

“My tenant has l ost about £250,000 worth of machinery, and he’s very upset. I’m devastated too.

“The building was worth about £1 million, although it was insured.

“We were actually about to sell it to our current tenant but it’s been derelict for years. It is what it is – we can’t change it.

“The police are looking at CCTV to see what was happening. The building is always being vandalised – it’s been targeted for the last seven years.”

Hoses were still being used to dampen down the scene yesterday afternoon to ensure the fire did not reignite.

The road remained closed at both ends between Summerfield Avenue and Berwick Drive and traffic was diverted away from the scene.

Although Carpet Reclaim declined to comment when approached by the Tele, the firm revealed on its Facebook page the blaze could spell the end for the business.

In a post, the company said: “It saddens us to think that there are some people out there who think it’s fun to set things on fire with no thought for the consequences... the risk to life to the firefighters and also to the livelihood and impact this has on our wee family.

“We are not sure if we can come back from this but where there’s a Darren (the business owner) there is a way.”

As the clear-up operation continued, neighbours said they had watched in shock as fire tore through the building.

Residents reported being told by police to keep their doors and windows shut.

One local, who asked not to be named said: “The blaze was massive.